Mental Health Studies
Get involved
If you would like to take part in any of the studies, above, or would like further information, please contact a member of the team. Alternatively you can complete our online form
Studies
Principal Investigator: Dr Fareed Abu-Sayf
Psychotic symptoms of 6-9% of patients with psychosis may be caused by pathogenic anti-neuronal membrane antibodies. Research has found that affected patients may respond to immunotherapy. This study aims to screen patients with psychosis to identify antibody-positive individuals who might be eligible for immunotherapy trial treatment.
We are looking for patients aged 16-60 currently experiencing acute psychotic symptoms to take part in this study. A researcher will take a single blood test and complete a brief assessment with the patient. The blood sample will be sent to Oxford to be tested for antibodies and the researcher will inform the patient/ clinical team of the blood results within 7-10 days. Antibody-positive patients will be invited to take part in a clinical trial using intravenous immunotherapy to treat patients. Participants receive a £10 voucher as a thank you for their participation.
For referrals and further information please contact: Megan.setterfield@nhs.net
Principal Investigator: Dr Nigel Ashurst
GLAD is the largest ever study of individuals who have experienced or are currently struggling with depression and/or anxiety. This study aims to better understand the role that our genes play in the development and treatment of depression and anxiety.
Anyone aged 16+ who has experienced clinical depression or anxiety at any point in their lives can sign up via the GLAD website (here). Once registered, participants will complete a psychological screening questionnaire online, once complete they will receive a saliva kit in the post so that a biological sample (saliva sample) can be collected at home and sent back to the lab.
For further information please contact, Hannah.Herlihy@nhs.net.
For Staff, Service Users and Carers
A study investigating the psychological and biological risk factors associated via online questionnaires and a saliva sample.
Who can we include?
Anyone aged 16+ who has experienced an eating disorder, diagnosed or undiagnosed in their lifetime.
Servey Link:
Contact:
Rachel.smith67@nhs.net
The trial will assess whether clozapine is more effective than treatment as usual (TAU, i.e. standard antipsychotics) in people < 25 years old, at the level of clinical symptoms, patient rated outcomes, quality of life and cost effectiveness. 50% of participants will be randomised to initiate Clozapine, and 50% will be randomised to treatment as usual (this can involve either remaining on their current medication, or altering their medication to any other antipsychotic except Clozapine or Lithium).
Who can we include?
- <25 years
- Meets criteria for Schizophrenia
- Meets NICE criteria for treatment resistance, defined as:
- Previous trials of at least two different antipsychotic drugs with adequate adherence
- At least 1 of these trials must be with a second-generation drug.
- Failure to respond to NICE-recommended psychological treatment OR failure to engage in same.
- Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total ≥70
- Clinician Rating Scale [24] (CRS) >3
What will this involve?
For KMPT staff
Please keep the study in mind when seeing individuals within your service. Once a potentially eligible participant is identified, please discuss with our research team and their responsible clinician to consider whether the trial may be appropriate. If agreed next steps can be taken to contact the patient.
For patients
Patients will be asked to read the information sheet, consider the trial and then attend a visit to discuss the trial and consent if they are willing (if they are willing but are not deemed to have capacity, a legal consultee can provide assent).
Researcher contact would take place at Baseline, week 2, 6 and 12. These visits involve assessments of medication use, adverse events, general health and questionnaires such as the PANSS and ReQol. The visits can be done in KMPT clinical spaces or the participants home.
After week 12, no more in person visits are required and the medication can be changed if deemed appropriate by the clinical team (for the treatment as usual arm, this can include being prescribed Clozapine or Lithium) and we will monitor the individual via medical records for a further 40 weeks.
Contact: myles.howard@nhs.net
Study Aims:
We will examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a physical activity intervention, compared to usual care alone in increasing physical activity levels.
People are randomly allocated to usual care, or to the Physical Activity intervention plus usual care. We will collect information about levels of physical activity at start and at 3, 6 and 12 months to see if physical activity has increased. Other outcomes relating to mental health and quality of life to be considered.
Who can we include?
- People with SMI: (paranoid schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bi-polar disorder).
- Over 18.
- No primary diagnosis for drug/alcohol use.
- Not doing more than 300 hrs physical activity per week.
- Can speak English and consent.
What does it involve?
- Study is 12 months.
- All participants consented and randomised receive £20 cash at 3 months, 6, & 12 months follow-up.
A movement device must be worn for 10 days and questionnaires completed 4 times over 12 months.
Those in the Physical Activity group will meet once weekly for 18 weeks for 2 hours, physical activity and social time.
Contact: myles.howard@nhs.net
Study aims:
One in three people with psychosis have visions, also known as visual hallucinations.
Surprisingly, little is known about these experiences. This study aims to develop our understanding of visions in two ways:
1) Develop a new measure exploring peoples beliefs about visions
2) Explore the relationships between visions and other issues such as poor sleep, high worry.
Who can we include?
Patients who are:
- Aged 16 to 65.
- Have a diagnosis of non-affective psychosis (e.g. schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder or psychosis not otherwise specified).
- Currently experiencing visions (within the last 4 weeks).
What does it involve?
Consenting patients will complete a questionnaire about visions in psychosis, this will take approximately 35-45mins. This can be done face to face with a researcher or over the phone. Participants will receive £10 cash for their time.
Contact: b.pocol@nhs.net
